Kathy in touch with youth team

The Toowoomba touch identity headed to Sydney at the weekend with a squad of 32 players who were vying for just 12 places in the Australian 20 years women's team which will defend its title at the Youth World Cup in Kawana.

O'Brien was named as national coach in February with the squad chosen at the National Touch League Open and 20 years tournament in March.

"It feels like so long since March when we selected the squads," O'Brien said.

"I can't wait to get my team together and start working for the Youth World Cup."

O'Brien, a secondary school teacher at The Glennie School, has been involved in touch as a player, coach and administrator for more than 15 years and has never been more excited.

"I took the 18 years' women to New Zealand last January, and the experience of this is now carrying over into the 20 years now," she said.

"I see a lot of my job as developing these young women to play for the Australian Open sides.

Touch has not only become a large part of O'Brien's life, but it is also a large part of her family's. Married with two boys, her family all play touch, including her youngest who represented Queensland for the first time last year in the primary schoolboys.

"That's something that really makes touch such a great sport, it's something we can all do together."